Pulse Brain · Growing Health Evidence Index
Tier 4 — Narrative / commentaryPeer-reviewed

Improving transformation and regeneration efficiency in medicinal plants: insights from other recalcitrant species.

Bennur PL, O'Brien M, Fernando SC, Doblin MS.

J Exp Bot · 2025

Read source ↗ All evidence

Summary

This paper, published in the Journal of Experimental Botany, reviews current limitations in genetic transformation and regeneration of medicinal plants, which are frequently recalcitrant to standard tissue culture and transformation protocols. Drawing on lessons from other difficult-to-transform species, the authors — affiliated with institutions including the University of Melbourne (Doblin lab) — offer insights into how transformation efficiency can be improved. The review is likely to evaluate explant selection, growth regulator regimes, Agrobacterium strains, and novel delivery methods as key variables influencing success.

UK applicability

The findings have indirect applicability to UK research and industry contexts, particularly for plant biotechnology programmes working with medicinal, aromatic, or specialty crops that are similarly recalcitrant; UK glasshouse and controlled-environment horticulture may benefit from improved transformation protocols for high-value plant species.

Key measures

Transformation efficiency (%); regeneration frequency (%); tissue culture response; Agrobacterium-mediated transformation success rates

Outcomes reported

The review examines barriers to genetic transformation and in vitro regeneration in medicinal plants, drawing on strategies developed for other recalcitrant species to propose improved methodologies. It likely reports on transformation efficiency metrics and tissue culture success rates across a range of plant systems.

Theme
General food systems / other
Subject
Plant biotechnology & genetic improvement
Study type
Narrative Review
Study design
Narrative review
Source type
Peer-reviewed study
Status
Published
Geography
International
System type
Horticulture
DOI
10.1093/jxb/erae189
Catalogue ID
NRmo3f02hq-060

Topic tags

Pulse AI · ask about this record

Dig deeper with Pulse AI.

Pulse AI has read the whole catalogue. Ask about this record, its theme, or how the findings apply to UK farming and policy — every answer cites the underlying studies.